It appears the TSA Screening at gates is in full-effect at IAD, again.

However, unlike what I have seen most times in the past, instead of doing the searches as people were lined up waiting to board (which does not affect boarding order), they were "randomly" selecting people in line, just after they handed their BPs to the Gate Agent. While folks were lined up TSA wandered among us, but did no checks of IDs or bags.

While I'm not against security, TSA clearly should understand how Southwest boards their flights. They could certainly do the "random" searches while people were in line, not affecting the boarding order, rather than when the plane starts boarding.

Given that Southwest does not have assigned seats, this is an issue that negates the value of a BS ticket (and the A-List).

Regarding the "randomness" of the searches, I saw two planes board before mine, and on each flight they took the second person in line for each boarding group. And, on my flight, I was second in line in the A-group (and was "randomly" picked. So much for being "random".

I'm not sure if Southwest has any negotiating power with TSA on this issue, but if they do, it would be nice to have the screening done in each group when they are lined up, rather than after boarding starts.

Given the pattern of selection in this case, BS ticket holders are at a bit of a disadvantage and may not see the benefit of flying with Southwest.